Maruti Eeco specifications, features, colours and images.

Maruti Suzuki’s new MPV (multi purpose vehicle) called Eeco is a five door vehicle. Eeco will be available in five seater and seven seater options. Eeco powered by an 1.2L engine complies the upcoming bharat IV emission norm and returns 15.1Km to a litre of petrol (as per ARAI). The 1196ccc engine generates 73bhp of raw power at 6000rpm and a high torque of 101Nm@3000rpm. The Eeco uses the 5 speed manual transmission system with the Diagonal Shift Assistance (DSA) technology which allows for a gear change without any break in continuity of the action, thereby improving the gear shift feeling.

Interiors will not just be functional but also offer a luxurious feel. Eeco comes with dual tone interiors – shades of beige and grey. The digital meter cluster adds to the driver convenience as well as a sophisticated feel. The flexi design of Eeco enables the car to have 5-seater and 7 seating option. The sliding doors similar to omni will ensure easy ingress and egress of Eeco passengers. Air-conditioning could be only luxury feature of Eeco as the price would be very competitive. Eeco would run on 155/R13LT sized tubeless tyres.
Maruti Eeco was launched on 7th January 2010 and available in six exciting colours – Metallic Glistening grey, metallic silky silver,Metallic Midnight Black,Metallic Blue Blaze,Bright Red and Superior White. Maruti plans to sell 40,000 units per annum.

Eeco complies upcoming Bharat IV emission norm and the Eeco is ELV (End of Life for Vehicles) compliant which means it uses Lead, Cadmium, Mercury and Chromium within permissible limits.

Prices of Maruti Eeco in Delhi

Variant-----------------------------------Metallic Price Non-Metallic Price
MARUTI EECO 5 STR-------------------- 268648.31-------268648.31
MARUTI EECO 7 STR-------------------- 292450.06-------292450.06
MARUTI EECO 5 STR WITH A/C+HTR--304213.17--------304213.17

Maruti Suzuki to roll out CNG variants soon.

Maruti Suzuki, the country largest car manufacturer, has put its green plans on fast track. The company plans to roll out CNG compatible variants of its leading models across segments by mid-July. It is looking to introduce a CNG variant of its recently upgraded Wagon R hatchback within the next three months, which could be about Rs 70,000 costlier than the existing version.

"Maruti Suzuki is working on at least five models across different segments to launch the CNG variants, which will come as dual mode with petrol, and these will be launched during the next quarter," a source said.The move is a part of the company's plans to expand its portfolio of eco-friendly vehicles, which could see other models such as Alto, Eeco, Estilo and SX4 also powered by CNG fuel, industry sources said.The CNG versions of its models will be powered by i-GPI engine – a CNG system based on the K-series engine. The CNG variants will be priced 15-20 per cent above their petrol counterparts.Though CNG prices have seen an increase in recent times, the fuel is still pretty light on the pocket in comparison to petrol and diesel.Experts feel that this is the right time for Maruti to enter the CNG space as this is the segment where the future of the auto industry lies.

"These products are of high quality and there will be no compromise on safety standards. Most of the parts are imported from Europe, the US and Japan. There will be some cost to it." Sources, however, said that going by the specifications and performance of the CNG kit that Maruti Suzuki is fitting in the cars, these variants will be about Rs 70,000 more expensive.In April, the company had launched the new generation WagonR, priced between Rs 3.28 lakh and Rs 3.81 lakh. MSI currently offers dual fuel mode in its M800 and Omni models, which are available in LPG-cum-petrol variants also. Earlier, the WagonR was also available in an LPG variant, but the company stopped producing it after launching the new WagonR. It has so far sold over two lakh vehicles fitted with alternative fuel technology.Already the small car segment is cluttered with too many players which means a cleaner and more affordable vehicle platform could prove pivotal in sustaining the company's market position in future.

Source: ndtv.com

Night Driving.

According to a survey, death rate due to accident fatalities at night is three times more than that in the day. Here’s a few tips to drive safe at night.

There are many hazards associated with driving at night and most of us aren’t aware of ways to deal with them. The primary reason why night driving is so dangerous is darkness. Ninety percent of a driver’s reaction depends on vision which is severely limited at night. Depth perception, color recognition and peripheral vision are compromised after sundown. The more your age, the lesser is your viewing capability at night. A 50-year-old driver may need twice as much light to see as well as a 30-year old. Fatigue is another major contributor towards danger when driving at night. Weariness increases reaction time and lowers concentration levels.

Alcohol plays a leading role in fatal traffic crashes, causing about half of all motor vehicle-related deaths. That makes weekend nights more dangerous. More fatal crashes take place on weekends than at any time during the week. So please, no matter how clichèd, DO NOT MIX DRINK AND DRIVE. There are a number of things that one can put into use to minimize the dangers of driving after dark

Clean the headlamps, tail-lamps, indicators and windows (inside and out) regularly. Have your headlights properly aligned. An ill-aligned light beam will blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road.

Alcohol severely impairs your driving ability. It also acts as a depressant. A single drink can induce fatigue. Avoid smoking when you drive. Nicotine and carbon monoxide hinder night vision.

Being seen is as important as seeing, so switch on your headlamps even if you don’t need them. They will help other drivers see your vehicle clearly. Do switch to the main beam whenever in doubt about something on the road.

Increase your ‘trailing’ distance when following a vehicle since it is difficult to judge a vehicle’ s speed and distance at night.

When following a vehicle, make sure that you do not use high beam as it can blind the driver you’re following.

If the oncoming traffic does not lower its beam then to avoid the glare, watch the left edge of the road and use it as a steering guide.

Stop regularly and treat yourself to light snacks and energy drinks to maintain concentration levels. Also do a few stretching exercises to flex your body muscles.

Twilight is one of the most difficult times to drive because your eyes are constantly adjusting to the changing and dying intensity of light which ultimately results in darkness. Practice utmost caution while driving during this period.

New car buying tips.

Buying new cars is not an easy job but many people are intimidated by the abundance of choices and the prospect of having to deal with a salesman but if you do your homework and you prepare yourself by knowing exactly what you want and exactly what you want to spend, it's as easy as walking into a dealership and letting them know what you're there for. Not being intimidated often intimidates them. Using online quote systems are an easy way to know what's out there and how much you should be paying. Sites like Automotive.com, Autoweb.com and Autobytel.com use an easy form to let you pick out the car and options you want and to give you a good price to use for comparison. If you know you specfically want a Ford or really want to price Fords, Ford Direct.com is an excellent resource for free Ford quotes. You can also buy cars through these sites. Our guide to buying your new car will walk you through all the information you will need to know what you're looking for and how to get it.

When buying a new, recalls and defects are always a concern. What is a defect? Why did they do a recall? Where can I report a possible defect or need for a recall? These are all very important questions and can sometimes be tough to find answers to. In the section on Motor Vehicle Defects and Recall Campaigns all your questions, and even a few you didn't know you had, are answered. Understanding a recall or a defect on your car can save you a great deal of money. In the event of a recall on part of your car, the dealership where you bought it will fix the recalled part for free. If you didn't know this, you might be out the money that you paid to get the part fixed elsewhere. This section is very informative and helpful. You might even want to take a look at it before you buy a car so you will know what questions to ask the dealership about and recalls or defects they may have had.

Nothing beats the smell of a new car, the thrill of driving away in a car that is yours, one that's never been owned by anyone else, but it comes at a price in the form of depreciation. You can virtually write off 20 per cent of the purchase price the moment you drive away from the dealer because it's then a used car. Cars depreciate faster in the first two or three years of their life and the new car buyer has to cop that for the pleasure of being the first owner. By buying used it's possible to avoid the heaviest depreciation. Cars will still depreciate in their latter years, but at a lower rate.

New car buyers can choose the colour of their car, the trim colour, the engine, transmission and other options and accessories, but used car buyers have to take what's available.

New car buyers have the reassuring backup of a new car warranty so they know that if anything goes wrong they won't be up for a big repair bill. Anyone buying from a used care dealer will also have a warranty, but it won't be for as long as the new car warranty. Private buyers don't have any warranty.

Negotiating with Dealers
It's a buyers market which means you can bargain with dealers for a better deal, but you need to be prepared for the battle.

Do some homework on market values before you go shopping so you know the value of the car you're buying and the value of your trade-in. That way you'll be better placed to barter with the dealer. Have your finance arranged before you go shopping, but don't tell the dealer. Dealers will often cut the price of a car believing they'll make money on the finance. Don't settle on the first car you inspect. Visit a number of dealers and compare deals before making a commitment.

Look for a dealer well stocked with the car you want and he'll be more prepared to deal.Shop towards the end of the month when dealers are looking to get their quotas up.

Financing your wheels
Few of us are able to hand over a wad of cash to pay for our car, we all need finance for the purchase.

Before you start work out how much you afford to pay, and how much you can afford to repay. Don't be tempted to use your credit card to pay for your car, the interest rate on credit cards is generally very high.

Shop around to save money.
Finance through dealers is the most expensive, dealers are on-selling the finance to you and they are making a profit on the deal, so cut out the middle man and go straight to the source of the finance. Banks offer finance at a cheaper rate than the dealers, but approval can take time.
Independent finance companies specialising in car finance often have the lowest interest rates, and some offer fast approvals with an on-line service.

Where to Buy
Buying from a dealer gives you the security of a warranty. By law dealers have to give you a warranty which gives you some recourse if something goes wrong with the car later. Dealers also have to guarantee ownership of the vehicle, that there is no outstanding finance on it which might complicate matters later. They also have to guarantee the odometer reading.

It's possible to buy cars cheaper at auction, but there are risks. There's little chance to check a car over, there's no chance to drive it, so you take a risk on its condition. The auction environment is not one for the faint hearted, it's fast moving with lots of little nods, winks and gestures for those in the know. Spend the time to visit auctions to become familiar with them before attempting to join in the action. It's a good idea to take along someone with mechanical knowledge to help you assess the cars before the auction starts.

Buying privately can be a way of saving money, but it can be risky for the unwary. There is no comeback with a private purchase, once you've driven away you're on your own. To search for private party cars on carsguide.com.au click here.

Before you buy a car ask yourself:
What kind of driving do you do?
Off road? Around town?
What features matter to you?
Air-con? Safety? Power?
What's your price range?
Where will you be parking?
Do you have a garage or only on-street parking?
What kind of insurance can you afford?